BAUMAN, PHIL & MARLENE

We have so many blessed memories with Phil and Marlene it is difficult to only share one. Some of our most precious memories were the time we spent traveling with them through Ireland and Northern Ireland. It was a joy to share this special adventure with this special couple. Phil did the driving since he had experience driving on the left side of the road. Steve was his trusty navigator. Marlene and Cheryl spent the time in the backseat praying for safety and laughing as the boys tried to escape at the right time from the round-abouts. Many times, we would do one or two circles before they decided what road we needed. Phil and Marlene were wonderful examples of a loving marriage and Christian marriage. Our lives are rich for our time spent with them .

--Steve & Cheryl Swallow 

UME-MESF Assistant Executive Couple

Administrative Team Couple

Marlene Bauman Obituary

Marlene Bauman passed away and went to be with Jesus, her lifelong Friend, Savior, and Lord, on June 15, 2020.

Marlene Joan Bauman was born on May 28, 1934, at St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, to John and Margaret (Field) Ehret. She graduated from Johnson High School in 1953. While in high school, Marlene’s best girlfriend turned down a date who then asked Marlene out, saying “I already have the corsage.” After graduation, Marlene attended Macalester College, receiving her teaching certificate. Marlene married that charmer, Phil Bauman, on May 19, 1956, at Memorial Lutheran Church in St. Paul, and the couple began their married life in Bainbridge, Maryland, where Marlene taught at Bainbridge Elementary, while Phil served in the Navy. They returned to Minnesota with three children under the age of three, allowing Phil to finish his degree at Augsburg College and Marlene to finish her degree at Macalester. Marlene graduated in 1962, one day after Phil graduated.

In 1965, Marlene and Phil felt a call to teaching in Hong Kong, and they moved their family of now four children and headed to New Haven, Connecticut, for a year of Cantonese instruction at Yale. In 1966, they began serving in Hong Kong, a place they deeply loved and where they lived for the next 33 years and raised their five children. They arrived in Hong Kong at a time of deep unrest: the Chinese Cultural Revolution had spilled over to Hong Kong, with violence, bombs, and uncertainty. Many Westerners fled, but Marlene and Phil stayed and earned the respect and friendship of many Hong Kong families. The toughest days in Hong Kong for Marlene were when she and Phil put each of their children in turn on an airplane back to the U.S. for college.

Marlene was a teacher and a principal, known for her fairness and discipline, and for rewarding good behavior instead of punishing the bad. Classes competed to see which could have the most orderly lines while marching into the school building in the morning; the winning class received a party at the end of the term. Marlene remembered one party in particular, with a rueful chuckle: Unbeknownst to Marlene or the classroom teacher, a little girl brought an addition for the punch, which proceeded to intoxicate her entire classroom at 9 a.m. When asked about it in the principal’s office, the girl tearfully explained, “That’s what my mommy always puts in her party punch!” It was an entire bottle of gin. After that, Marlene was vigilant about the refreshments, but the parties continued. On one furlough back home, Marlene completed her Masters degree in Special Ed from the University of St. Thomas.

In 1990, Marlene and Phil began their work with United Marriage Encounter, and they led 85 weekend workshops all over the world for 23 years, making many friends along the way. They helped build a seminary in Sha Tin, and began a Lutheran congregation in Hong Kong.

In 1999, the Baumans returned to the U.S. for good and settled in Northfield. The adjustment was made easier when they became co-directors of the Hospitality Center for Chinese at the University of Minnesota, which they served until 2002. Phil and Marlene taught the Bethel Bible series, and continued serving on Marriage Encounter weekends, including serving on the International Board of Directors for five years. They enjoyed visits from many of their Chinese friends, and their home was filled with mementos of their time in Hong Kong.

Marlene and Phil were members of Rejoice Lutheran Church and the Northfield Senior Center, where they enjoyed swimming and serving as pool monitors. Marlene enjoyed summers at the family cabin near Webster, Wisconsin, and travelling in their motorhome to visit family members. She was a cheerful, encouraging person, dedicated to her Lord and to her family. She will be deeply missed.

Memorial contributions are suggested to:

United Marriage Encounter 2610 Park Avenue Muscatine, IA 52761